Types of Snowball Bushes

by Amanda Flanigan

A stunning addition to your landscape, snowball bushes produce large, showy blooms resembling snowballs. These blooms attract wildlife to your garden and look lovely as cut flowers. Each variety of this ornamental shrub can tolerate most soil types and generally does not require much maintenance.

European Snowball Bush

Also called European Cranberrybush, the European snowball bush (Viburnum opulus 'Sterile') grows in Sunset Climate Zones A2, A3, 1a through 9 and 14 through 24. Attracting birds with its large pompom blooms, the white flowers fade to shades of pink. As the warm summer months transition into crisp autumn days, the green maple-like leaves of the European snowball develop an orange-red or purple tint. This perennial shrub loves moist yet well-drained humus-rich soil in either full sun or partial shade. Adequate air circulation between plants reduces the chance of powdery mildew infestation.

Japanese Snowball Bush

The large light green blooms of the Japanese snowball bush (Viburnum plicatum) appear in late spring and slowly turn white. During autumn, the heart-shape leaves of the Japanese snowball bush begin to change from dark green to reddish-purple. This deciduous shrub is not picky and will thrive in any soil pH level as long as it has good drainage. Growing in Sunset Climate Zones 3a through 9 and 14 through 24, the Japanese snowball bush can tolerate wet locations but has a tendency to spread if not kept under control.

Chinese Snowball Bush

The large blooms of the Chinese snowball bush (Viburnum macrocephalum), which resemble those found on hydrangeas, begin as a lime green color in the spring and turn white. Although the Chinese snowball can grow in partial shade, planting this shrub in full sun will encourage heavier flowering. This snowball bush grows well in Sunset Climate Zones 3a through 9 and 14 through 24. Reaching heights between 8 and 18 feet, the Chinese snowball thrives in moist soil that is not too alkaline and has good drainage. Pruning this shrub in the spring will keep its size under control.

Fragrant Snowball Bush

A 1932 hybrid of the Chinese snowball and Korean spice viburnum, the fragrant snowball (Viburnum x carlcephalum) attracts bees and butterflies with its basketball-sized fragrant blooms. The fragrant snowball grows in full or partial sun in the Sunset Climate Zones 3a through 11 and 14 through 24. The soil should be fertile and moist with good drainage, ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. This versatile shrub works wonderfully as a hedge, loose screen or near a window.

Grand-Flowering Japanese Snowball Bush

The Grand-flowering Japanese snowball bush (Viburnum plicatum 'Grandiflorum') is a spreading shrub that produces large blooms. These blooms start out light green in color and slowly turn white. In Sunset Climate Zones 3a through 9 and 14 through 24, this snowball bush grows well in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. The Grand-flowering Japanese snowball bush can also tolerate wet locations such as areas near ponds.

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About the Author

Despite writing throughout her entire life, Amanda Flanigan’s professional writing career didn’t begin until 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and Pop Sugar, and has published several eBooks on various subjects. Flanigan has also completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.

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